Let the magic happen

All I can say from my first week in Portland is Wow. I feel so overwhelmed with joy, it is truly hard to describe. I don't want to blink, I am afraid I might miss something. This place is filled with joyful spirits who rejoice artistically and it is so amazing to be a part of this beautiful movement.

I am sure I will miss a few things in trying to re-cap on this week, but I will do my best. The first day Jessica got into town, we got right into performing at an open mic. We went to Alberta Street Public house and sang 3 of our tunes. That night, we met some pretty amazing musicians, and wanted to invite them to jam with us later in the week. We exchanged contact info and marveled at the awesome unexpected night we had. The next night, we went back to the open mic we originally got out gig at when we went to the open mic the first visit to Portland. We thought it would be great practice again, and didn't want to drag out the ol' heavy keyboard again. They had a piano already there. So, we get there, and by playing this night, the same guy who hired us the first time in Portland insisted we set up a date. So, we got the date set for that gig. Then we went to a few shows and did one more open mic. All were successful interesting days. On sunday, we went to yoga, church and then had an insane potluck and jam session that blew my mind. All of these people we met within the week, came together, and made music. It was magical. One of the guys from the band we met played the fiddle. He went to Juliard, and came to Portland with a similar story. He was called here. Felt like he needed to be in a place that nurtured and cultivated beautiful art. During this jam session, we all went into a trance. It was moving and incredible to hear him jam out on the violin. We also bonded on our love for mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile and he told me he is recording with him soon. I about died. I obviously admire Chris Thile so much, and hearing this amazing violin player say he was working with him made my jaw drop. As soon as we can, we want to have him play with us on our music. It's all so alive here, I can't believe the talent in this area.
Tonight, Jess and I decided to do an open mic where we would compete to get a featured slot at the venue. We had a really wonderful time meeting all of the amazing musicians, but by far the most insane band that came in was the Novelists. They are a band from Reno, Nevada and they are in town for a few days. They are so solid and they sound pristine. They won the competition, but since they could not be here for the showing, we get to do it because we came in 2nd place! So, really we got the time slot! It's so cool. They are such nice people too, and we have a random mutual friend. While Jess and I were working on the ship, we met two singer songwriters named Kate Cotter and Grace Hutchinson who were taking their vacation to Alaska together. They were both from Reno, and I spent many nights picking their brains and telling them how I really wanted to start music as soon as I got off the ship. They were so helpful to us, I decided to stay in contact with them. The Novelists all know those two girls, and are dear friends of theirs. It's such a small world isn't it? So, we've got some amazing musicians to collaborate with....wow, here we go!

The road to Portland

"You are not the child of the people you call mother and father, but their fellow adventurer on a bright journey to understand the things that are"- Richard Bach

This past week, I saw a part of this world so rich with beauty and love I almost couldn't handle it. Driving up the Oregon and California coast with my mother was a true adventure. With quite the detailed trip tikks from both AAA and Paulquest (thanks Paul), we had the journey of a lifetime; one that I will treasure forever. 

My mom and I are so much alike in looks we could almost be mistaken for each other....oh who am I kidding, we always get mistaken for each other!  Way to go MOM! However, we have our differences in personality. But that doesn't keep us from having the deepest, most guttural belly laughs on the face of this planet. When we get going, we don't stop. And sometimes, the things that make us laugh are not even funny! But, it's really situational. On our trip, we surely had many of those memorable moments, and some of them I am willing to share :) 

So, first day driving, we stop in Monterey. The drive up through California's gorgeous farm country was...well, picturesque.  Rolling hills, farm animals, a breathtaking sunset, what could be better than all of that?  We stopped in Solvang for a delicious lunch. Solvang is a little dutch community in Southern California. I figured after spending a year on a dutch cruise line, this would be a great place to explore. Our second stop was in a hidden valley of the sort near Monterey. The trees were welcoming us, draping over the  street, as we drove deeper and deeper into the farm country, We stopped at an olive oil place and tested the finest of oils. I can't believe this either. After years of detesting the tastes of olives, I actually enjoy them now. Perhaps it's because I am NOT allergic to them :) We arrived late  afternoon in Monterey. We then got up early the next day and drove to Napa. I had never been to Napa before this trip with my mother. Napa is stunning, to say the least. I have never seen so many wineries. One after the other. Rows and rows of grape-vines cascading over the  hills. I was blown away, and a little buzzed. haha. I mean, we were trying wine here :) We tried a variety of the best wines in the world (in my opinion...and I can say this now because I have had alot of the wine of the world :) ) But this wine was the kind of wine that went down so smoothly. The buttery white wines and the strong and fragrant reds. My mouth is watering thinking about this again! We had a marvelous dinner in wine country and then KAPUT! fell asleep really early at the Best Western in Napa. The next day, we drove through Sonoma, which is smaller than Napa, but no less wonderful. We shared a picnic out in a park and truly soaked up the giving sun. We then drove to our next destination of Healdsburg, California. Just a few more hours north. When my mom and I got to the Best Western here, we thought this might be more aptly named Better than the Best Western. I mean, this place was hooked up! I was kind of shocked that they even called it a Best Western. It was a little villa in Tuscany. So, my mom and I decided to take advantage of the amenities. We went to the gym and then went outside in slightly drizzly rain to take a jacuzzi. The outside was pretty cold in comparison to the pristine weather we saw before on the road.  So when we got out of the steaming hot tub, we were laughing hysterically at the suggestion of a towel this hotel provided. They were merely squares of fabric. With our teeth chattering and bare feet, we ran to our room. Only, we did not remember the room number! We had stayed in so many hotels, we didn't know which room was ours. We were so mad at each other, but mainly cracking up because we were standing there, half clothed, dripping wet, and we were lost. We tried every single door in the hallway, except the last door, which was ours! It was pretty embarrassing when we told the hotel clerk we didn't remember our room number, and we were standing right in front of our door. Classic moment, I should say. The next day, we took the 101 to see something I still can't even describe with words. The Redwood forest is a piece of heaven. These trees are gigantic. The trunks were the size of SUVs. They were taller than the eiffel tower. And there were rows and rows of them. Talk about a sacred place. I got choked up just thinking about how the trees have lived longer than I can even imagine. These trees have seen our past. If only they could talk. Oh the stories they would tell! With laughter and joy filling our hearts, my Mom and I drove further than we expected to, as to make our trip to Portland the next day short and easy. The next day, we knew we were getting close. You know when you feel a constant rush of joy in your heart? Like you have something to look forward to? I equate the feeling to when I was a kid, heading to Disneyland, or waiting for a friend to come over (I was a really social kid!). I felt this overwhelming feeling this last day driving to the destiny. I feel called to Portland, and I could feel a magnetic pull towards it in every cell of my body. As we drove up into the city of roses. I knew we had come to the right place. Moving in was a challenge, since I was moving in to a pretty dusty basement. But my mother is a champion of spiders and she showed me how to make this place feel like home. We made my room into a place to invite other musicians in to feel comfortable to explore music. Jess and I will definitely have the space to practice and make music come alive. I am so excited. I had to say goodbye to my mother today, as she flew back to sunny California. My mother is a wonderful, beautiful woman, whom I admire with all of my heart. She made this move to Portland so smooth and I could not have done it without her loving guidance. I am really fortunate to have such a friend and mentor in a mother.

So far, every moment in Portland has reassured me this is where I need to be. I have never felt so welcomed in my life. People are aware here. They are here to live in community and make changes. I want to be a part of this. I am a part of this. I hope you will all join me on this new adventure. 

The Final Portland

We cannot discover new oceans until we have the courage to lose sight of the shore. ~ Muriel Chen


Here we go again friends. Year 2011 was all about seeing the world and noticing very specific things about myself and others. I grew so much in connection with this world and it's people, but I know there is still so much to be experienced. How delicious is this life? The year 2012, for me at least, is going to be transformative. This dream will be my reality. I am following my bliss. And I will never have to say, "oh I wish I would have followed my intuition". I am going to do the irrational move here. I hear what people say, and I accept some of their well- thought out guidance. But I truly believe, when you have a gut feeling, you must follow that voice. That, is the voice of the divine. Working in all of us. And when we follow our true callings, things happen to us that we did not expect. Already, I see some major beautiful changes happening in my life. I am challenged every day to not listen to my pesky ego, and to listen to the greater voice inside me (and in all of us). How great is it that I get an opportunity to share something I believe in with all of my soul? I am so blessed, I sometimes wonder how I got so lucky. Portland seems like a place to discover more. A place to grow in ways I never imagined. A place where I am clearly being called to. I will take this challenge, even if it is not usual. I do not point fingers at anyone for taking a different path. I am taking this leap. This leap of faith, that all will be right with the world. I leave in 2 days on my journey to "the final portland". Jessica and I had an epiphany when we both simultaneously chose portland as our destiny. We had been traveling the world, seeing so many magnificent PORTS, that the final Port of land would obviously be PORT LAND. There is magic everywhere people, just open your eyes. Love to all my family and friends in California. You have blessed me so much, it becomes difficult to leave. But please know that we are never truly apart. Love connects us all, and I love you with all of my heart.